EDUCATION
PhD, Philosophy, University of Florida, expected Summer 2008
Dissertation: “Descartes, Locke, and the Substance of
Minds”
MA, Philosophy, University of Florida, April 2005
Thesis: “Was Descartes a Trialist?”
BA, Philosophy, Florida International University, August
2001
AREA OF SPECIALIZATION
Modern Philosophy
AREAS OF COMPETENCE
Ancient Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
Metaphysics
DISSERTATION
“Descartes, Locke, and the Substance of Minds”
The central theme of the dissertation is that a theory of mind must be
grounded in, or derived from, a general theory of metaphysics, or more
specifically a theory of substance in general. One outcome of this
position is that problems in a philosopher's theory of mind can
sometimes be resolved by getting a clear understanding of his theory of
substance. In the dissertation this analytical principle is used to
gain insight into the views of René Descartes and John Locke. I have
chosen these two philosophers because of the particular difficulty
posed by their theories. In Cartesian studies there is currently a
movement to overthrow the traditional interpretation of Descartes's
metaphysics. Against that movement, I argue that Descartes's view is
that mind is nothing but a thinking thing, a thing that is identical
with its thought. With respect to Locke's views, I maintain that the
traditional interpretation needs to be reconsidered. I argue that while
Locke, entertains many different theories upon which a general theory
of substance might be based, he ultimately rejects them all in favor of
a negative view of our ability to properly conceive of substance.